Mail-box



No. 753,523. PATENTED MAR. 1,, 1904. e. w. SMITH.

MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED PER-27. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

/vwneomo UNITED STATES.

Patented March 1, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

MAIL-BOX- SPEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 753,523, dated March 1, 1904.

Application filed February 27,1903. Serial No. 145,390. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE WELLS SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Union City, in the county of Randolphand State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in mail-boxes, and refers particularly to a mailbox for use in rural reception and delivery of mail; and one object of my invention is the provision of a mail-box which can be manufactured at a very low price and which will be thoroughly efficient and practical in every respect.

Another object of my invention is the pro vision of a mail-box which will designate the absence or presence of mail and which will protect the contents of the box from the damaging influences of the weather.

With these objects in view my invention consists of a mail-box embodying novel features of construction and combination of parts substantially as disclosed herein.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my mail-box closed and with the signal raised to indicate that the box contains mail. Fig. 2 represents a similar view with the box open. Fig. 3 represents a transverse sectional view with the box closed, and Fig. 4 represents a central longitudinal sectional view.

My mail-box consists, essentially, of the lower section A and the upper section A, each section being substantially semicylindrical, the

upper section being provided with the gutter B at its front portion and with the curved or spiral rear edge C, and the lower section is provided with the spiral rear edge D, which fits within and forms a hinged connection the entire length of the box with the curved or spiral rear portion of the upper section. This construction is of great importance, as the front gutter absolutely prevents the entrance of water to the box and the rear spiral edge forms a protection for the box and makes an easy operating-hinge throughout the entire length of the box.

To each end of the box issecured the pair of hinged caps E and E, these end sections being preferably made of cast material and having the flanges F secured-to the upper and lower sections of the box and having the inward-extending protecting rim or flange G. The pair of hinged castings are each provided near their hinged portion H with stops J, which limit the opening of the cover. One of the hinged ends is. provided with staples K to receive a suitable lock and with a hinged signal L, which is sustained in raised or lowered position by means of studs or pins M. The box is provided on the inner face of the lower section with a clip N for holding letters, and the entire structure is rigidly attached by means of an attaching-plate O, secured to a post P or other object.

From the foregoing description, taken in' connection with the drawings, it will be apparent that I provide a mail-box which is par- The mail-box herein shown and described,

consisting of the upper and lower sections having their rear edges curved and forming a hinge connection along their entire length, the curved portion on the forward edge of the upper section forming a protectinggutter, the end pieces hinged together and secured to said sections, said end pieces having inwardextending flanges to embrace the ends of the sections, the abutments carried by the end pieces to limit opening thereof, the lugs on one set of end pieces to receive a lock, the signal pivoted to said end piece, the studs to hold the signal, and the attaching-plate on the lower section, and the clip in the lower section for holding mail-matter separately.

Intestimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE WELLS SMITH. Witnesses:

JOSEPH HOKE, JOHN A. SHooKNEY. 

